Analysis: US change of policy towards South Sudan's Riek Machar

Why has a senior US official said Riek Machar should not go back to South Sudan to take up his post as first vice-president? (see earlier post)

In part, the US seem to be recognising a reality – there appears to be little prospect of Mr Machar returning any time soon.

The US, and other countries, are also involved in a complicated balancing act, as they try to persuade the South Sudanese government to accept a regional military peacekeeping force.

Perhaps the Americans feel that recognising Taban Deng as first vice-president, rather than Mr Machar, will please President Salva Kiir and his camp, and smooth the way for the peacekeepers.

There is also probably a feeling that Mr Deng is better able to work with the president – an old ally – than Mr Machar was.

But as with so much in South Sudan, the key question here is a military one: does Mr Deng, or Mr Machar, have the loyalty of most of the rebel generals?

AFPCopyright: AFP

Riek Machar is now in Khartoum after leaving South Sudan's capital, Juba, following fighting in JulyImage caption: Riek Machar is now in Khartoum after leaving South Sudan's capital, Juba, following fighting in July

AU mission to Gabon postponed

Abdourahmane Dia

BBC Afrique

Gabon's Foreign Minister Emmanuel Ngondet has said at a press conference that the African Union mission that should be in the country Friday to mediate between President Ali Bongo and Jean Ping has been postponed.

According to Mr Ngondet, Chad's President Idriss Deby has demanded more time to consult with other heads of state who should be with travelling him - Macky Sall of Senegal and Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo.

No new date has been given.

AFPCopyright: AFP

President Ali Bongo beat his rival Jean Ping by less than 6,000 votesImage caption: President Ali Bongo beat his rival Jean Ping by less than 6,000 votes

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission says its findings were a result of extensive investigations across the country.

It will be difficult for Mr Mugabe to simply dismiss the allegations.

The powers of the rights body are enshrined in the constitution.

The political implications of the report are grave, especially with general elections due in 2018, although similar allegations have been made in the past.

With growing popular calls for electoral reform, there will be many who fear that this investigation betrays the extreme tactics which may be employed to ensure election victory.

Alleged attempts to exert pressure on rural folk by withholding food will be seized on by Mr Mugabe's critics as evidence that his government has reached a new low, especially given the food crisis the country is facing.

AFPCopyright: AFP

Alleged attempts to exert pressure on rural folk by withholding food will be seized on by Mr Mugabe's criticsImage caption: Alleged attempts to exert pressure on rural folk by withholding food will be seized on by Mr Mugabe's critics

So are Nigerians up for changing?

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has launched a campaign for his compatriots to change the way they behave (see earlier post).

In a speech this morning he didn't hold back:

Quote Message: The long-cherished and time-honoured, time-tested virtues of honesty, integrity, hard work, punctuality, good neighbourliness, and patriotism have given way in the main to dishonesty, intolerance, indolence, unbridled corruption and widespread impunity."

The long-cherished and time-honoured, time-tested virtues of honesty, integrity, hard work, punctuality, good neighbourliness, and patriotism have given way in the main to dishonesty, intolerance, indolence, unbridled corruption and widespread impunity."

Quote Message: They just can't take criticism so they are looking for any possible means to lay the blame on why they can't perform on either the past administration or on Nigerians. The fear of criticism is the reason for the campaign because they are losing the goodwill and support they had during the election." from Arerosuo Nelson Ogheneroro

They just can't take criticism so they are looking for any possible means to lay the blame on why they can't perform on either the past administration or on Nigerians. The fear of criticism is the reason for the campaign because they are losing the goodwill and support they had during the election."

Quote Message: Which change is he talking about? He has just renamed his 'War Against Indiscipline'. It's another avenue for him to use the Nigerian military against the citizens. Go ahead we are watching how it unfolds."

Which change is he talking about? He has just renamed his 'War Against Indiscipline'. It's another avenue for him to use the Nigerian military against the citizens. Go ahead we are watching how it unfolds."

But some are looking forward to the change that could happen:

Quote Message: God bless the president. His honesty is second to none. He will succeed." from David Iyowuna

God bless the president. His honesty is second to none. He will succeed."

Ugandans react to delay in paying football coach

We reported earlier that Uganda's football association (Fufa) had put out a statement admitting to owing the national team coach Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic some salary arrears.

The admission seems to have irritated many Ugandans, who are using the hashtag #PayMicho to express their displeasure. Especially because the coach led the team to qualify for the African Cup of Nations finals next year after being absent for 38 years.

AFP photographer talks about covering Gabon elections

Powerful images of the violent protests that engulfed Gabon after the announcement of the contested presidential results, in which the incumbent President Ali Bongo beat opposition leader Jean Ping, have been part of understanding the continuing story.

Marco Longari, the chief photographer for Africa with AFP news agency, took some of the striking photos which have been used by mainstream news organisations including the BBC to report the story.

Successful Uganda football coach missing salary payments

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) has admitted that it owes coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic some salary arrears but that it is making plans to resolve the issue.

Micho, who oversaw Uganda’s first qualification to the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations since 1978, is unhappy that he has not been paid and had threatened to take the matter to football’s world governing body Fifa.

Fufa says that it used most of the money at its disposal in order to prepare the squad for the crucial final qualifier against Comoros that they had to win in order to qualify for the Nations Cup finals in Gabon next year.

In a statement Fufa says that meetings are being held with Micho in order for the matter to be resolved as quickly as possible and that paying him what he is owed is its main priority.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Ugandans have been celebrating qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations finalsImage caption: Ugandans have been celebrating qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations finals